I'm no mechanic, but I've concluded that my brake light switch needs to be replaced: The idiot light on the dashboard came on when I started the car last evening, and refused to turn off; simultaneously, the cruise control stopped working. I drove about 30 miles without noticing any problems with the brakes, so I assumed it was a short, blown fuse, or some other electrical malfunction. But after I parked the car and returned 3 hours later, I discovered that my brakes were no longer working properly: I had very little braking ability. I brought the car to a mechanic (driving there without effective braking power was an incredibly frightening experience), who quickly found that the brake hose had failed (it was quite old). He replaced the hose, added fluid, and the brakes are fine.
However, the problem with the idiot light/cruise control remained. I thought, therefore, that perhaps the two problems — idiot light/cruise control and brake failure — were unrelated. Out of curiosity, I disconnected the wiring harness that goes from the brake-fluid reservoir under the hood, into the body of the car — I'm assuming to the brake light switch. Lo and behold! the idiot light extinguished, and the cruise control became operational. Hence, I concluded that the brake light switch is the likely culprit.
The local auto parts store sells the switch (the version that handles both the brake lights and cruise control) for $24. Clearly, a mechanic would charge me much more for the part, plus probably an hour's labor. I'd like to avoid spending so much money for something that doesn't require the expertise of a skilled auto mechanic. But I'm not the most mechanically inclined (i.e., I'm not very bright
), so I'd need detailed instructions, along with a decent diagram(s).
Can anyone help?
95 Camry
AUTO to MANUAL Swap Guide (3rd Gen) - 
Linear Mode
